We get a lot of questions from local businesses in Philadelphia about how to grow their social media accounts. To summarize, boosting engagement on social media involves a combination of strategic content creation, active interaction and understanding your audience. But, social media marketing doesn’t have to become your full-time job. We know you already have one of those. However, it does require some of your time to get it started. Here are some tips to help your business launch an effective digital strategy for social media.
10 Tips to Boost Social Media Engagement
Create Quality Content
Craft an action plan for your social media marketing and begin by creating unique quality content. A mix of eye-catching visuals grabs attention and encourages sharing. Include things like:
- Images
- Videos
- Infographics
- Memes
- Reels
Working with a professional graphic designer like POP THE PIXEL will help you save time and money by introducing you to tools that help automate the process. We recommend investing in a social media marketing strategy for up to three months. Then once you have the hang of things, take over and continue managing your digital strategy internally.
Be Consistent and Post Regularly
Build trust and keep your brand top-of-mind in Philly by being consistent and posting regularly. Develop a content calendar and stick to a posting schedule that aligns with when your audience is most active. There are a number of online tools to help with your social media marketing and management, including:
These automation tools make it easier to manage your social media channels. You can schedule, engage, monitor and analyze social media posts all from one place. By learning the ropes of how these tools work, you can stay organized, save time and ultimately save money.
Use Hashtags Strategically
Use relevant hashtags to increase your content’s visibility. Start by researching trending and niche hashtags and incorporate them into post content. Integrating strategic hashtags can help you reach broader audiences in the Greater Philadelphia tri-state area. To find trending hashtags, you can:
- Utilize platform features like Instagram explore page
- Employ third-party tools like hashtag generators
- Stay informed by following relevant hashtags, influencers and analyzing competitors
By combining platform features, third-party tools and consistent monitoring, you can effectively find trending hashtags to boost your social media presence. If you need help getting started, call us at 323-848-4465 and let’s chat about launching your social media marketing campaign.
Engage with Your Audience
Respond to comments, messages and mentions promptly. Lead by showing appreciation for your followers’ support and foster conversations to build a community. You can keep your online community engaged when you:
- Ask follow-up questions
- Share user-generated content
- Host Q&A sessions
- Collaborate with others
- User interactive elements
Interacting with followers and nurturing a social media presence fosters stronger relationships with your audience and builds a loyal following. This can lead to boosting overall social media engagement.
Leverage User-Generated Content
Highlight User-Generated Content (UGC) no matter how small or large. By showcasing a spectrum of digital content and real-life experiences online, you build a brand that reflects the diversity of your community. To leverage user-generated content, you can:
- Run contests and giveaways
- Create shareable experiences
- Showcase social proof
- Partner with influencers
- Highlight positive experiences
Encourage customers or followers to create and share content related to your products or services. Then, prominently feature this content on your own platforms and tag those accounts. This can build trust, increase engagement and ultimately aim to drive sales by showcasing real-life experiences and social proof.
Run Contests and Giveaways
Run contests that motivate followers to engage with your content, share your posts and invite their friends. Post clear rules and guidelines, and include prizes that are appealing to your target audience. Examples include:
- Caption contests
- Photo and video contests
- Tag-a-friend contests
- Voting contests
Contests and giveaways can be a great funnel for boosting engagement, increasing brand awareness and generating user-generated content.
Utilize Stories and Live Videos
Utilize stories and live videos to offer a dynamic and engaging way to connect with your online community. This can be a powerful way to build brand awareness and drive meaningful interactions on social media. Here are some of the benefits:
- Increased engagement and interaction
- Enhanced authenticity and brand building
- Expanded reach and visibility
- Time and resource efficiency
Stories and live videos provide a more personal and authentic connection with viewers compared to static posts. And the real-time nature of live streams allows for immediate interaction and feedback. Keep eyeballs on your profiles by utilizing a mix of content, including stories and live videos.
Other Considerations
- Collaborate with Influencers and Partners: Partnering with influencers or complementary brands can expand your reach and authenticity. Choose collaborators whose audience aligns with your target market.
- Analyze and Adjust Your Strategy: Regularly review your analytics to identify what works best. Adapt your content and posting schedule based on engagement metrics and audience feedback.
- Stay Authentic, Genuine and Relatable: Authenticity builds trust. Share behind-the-scenes looks, user-generated content and personal stories to foster a genuine connection with your followers.
Conclusion
An effective social media strategy involves an action plan, commitment and consistency. By implementing these strategy tips, you can significantly boost social media engagement, strengthen your brand presence and foster a loyal following. Contact us online or call 323-848-4465 for a free social media marketing consultation.